Womanspace Workshops

Sacred Sound: Awakening & Healing the Soul
Exploring the vibrational field of our body/soul through sacred chant, Tibetan Singing Bowls, Earth Gong, and soul song. We are 50 trillion cells who hear the central song of our being and call to each other in a magnificent song of interconnectivity. Bring a yoga mat and comfortable clothes and join in the singing and sound on a August evening.

Jim Roberts has been captivated with sound & healing for 30 years. He was a pastor for 40 years and is co-director of Manitoumie, a retreat center in Wisconsin. Jim has authored The 3rd Species, and Saving the Soul of Jesus: the Spirituality Of Jesus & its Practice. He leads an inter-spiritual chant group, and presents mystical poetry of the East & the West with music.

Course #: WK09-33
Dates: August 30
Time: Monday, 7:00–9:00p
Presenter: Jim Roberts
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: Sorry, this program is full!

Queen of Heaven Group: Women in Media
All women are invited to join us as we continue our exploration of the divine feminine. We will explore advertising and media portrayals of women and its implications for all women and girls, not to mention how it impacts men. Previous attendance is not necessary and walk-ins are welcome. Please bring food or drink to share, meet some like-minded women, and share good conversation.

Tracy Pease is pursuing a masters degree in mental health counseling and has participated twice in the Cakes for the Queen of Heaven course.

Course #: WK10-1
Dates: September 19
Time: Sunday, 7:00–9:00p
Facilitators: Gale Ketteler & Tracy Pease
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: Freewill offering Register by September 16

City of the Dawn
City of the Dawn is a study of Auroville, a town in Southern India, where 2000 people from 40 nations are creating a laboratory of the future. Francis Rothluebber wrote and co-produced this film, which was the Planet Prize Winner at the European Spiritual Film Festival 2010. This modern, universal city is an adventure in developing caring relationships, participative government, art and education, architecture and building materials, complementary medicine, reforestation and sustainable industries. Auroville provides a demonstration of what is possible when people commit to live together in community beyond the boundaries of nation, religion, and race. Their experience raises questions about what can be accomplished on a broader scale when awareness of oneness drives our actions. Please bring food or drink to share.

Elaine Hirschenberger co-founded Womanspace in 1975 with Dorothy Bock. She is an accomplished writer and creates art in many different media. In her roles as Executive Director of Womanspace and lead clay instructor, Elaine enjoys working with accomplished and aspiring artists and thoughtful people of all ages and abilities.

Course #: WK10-2
Dates: September 29
Time: Wenesday, 7:00–9:00p
Facilitator: Elaine Hirschenberger
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $10 Register by September 27

Herbal Harvest
Fall is the time to harvest and prepare herbs. Learn how to dry and store your herbs with Liz. She’ll share information on how to preserve them, including herbal vinegars, pestos, teas, and tinctures. You’ve been growing those great herbs all summer. Now here’s how to keep enjoying them all winter long! Herbal products will be available for purchase, in case you don’t grow your own.

Liz owns Wind Ridge Herb Farm in Caledonia with organic gardens featuring over 400 varieties of culinary and medicinal herbs, plus a shop featuring teas, spices, dips, salves, lotions, bath and baby products, as well as many antique and gift items. She has been an RN for over 25 years and is also a Master Herbalist.

Course #: WK10-3
Dates: October 4
Time: Monday, 7:00–9:00p
Presenter: Liz Fiorenza
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $20 Register by September 30

Madres de la Plaza de Mayo:
The Women's Movement in Argentina
Please join us to learn about the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo and the admirable journey of this inspiring group of mothers searching for justice and truth in Argentina. This movement started in 1977 with fourteen mothers in search of their missing children during the military dictatorship. Today the Madres (as well as the Abuelas) are still struggling to find answers and have thousands of supporters around the world, including Amnesty International and the United Nations Human Rights Commission. They have been honored with international recognition and a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Cristina will share a brief history of Argentina to help us understand the background that led to the founding of both all-female movements: Madres y Abuelas de la Plaza de Mayo. She will also speak about her own personal experience in the movement, and the history of the disappeared.

Cristina is a native of Argentina; she was born and raised in Buenos Aires. She was a high school student when the military dictatorship started, and still in college when it ended. She came to the United States in 1989 and has taught Spanish in various higher education institutions since her arrival. She is now an associate professor of Spanish at Rock Valley College.

Course #: WK10-4
Dates: October 14
Time: Thursday, 7:00-9:00p
Presenter: Cristina Szterensus
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $20 Register by October 12

From Pain to Compassion with Pema Chodron
Join Dr. Maier to view Good Medicine a documentary featuring American Buddhist nun, Pema Chodron. Chodron shares the gift of a simple and elegant meditation system: a way to befriend ourselves, accept the past we have rejected, and widen our circle of compassion. Pema Chodron has been the director of a Buddhist monastery in Nova Scotia and is associated with the concept of "loving-kindness." Her books are popular with readers of Eastern thought and she is a frequent seminar and retreat leader.

Dr. Lenora T. Maier is a licensed psychologist with office space in Womanspace. She has facilitated many programs.

Course #: WK10-5
Dates: October 12
Time: Tuesday, 7:00-9:00p
Facilitator: Dr. Lenora T. Maier
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $10 Register by October 11

Suffragette City: Iron Jawed Angels
In preparation for the general election on November 9, this film takes a fresh look at a pivotal event in American history: Women’s Suffrage. It tells the true story of brilliant activists Alice Paul and Lucy Burns. Dorothy Day, subject of our November 4 special event, was also part of this story. They took the women’s suffrage movement by storm, risking their lives and making history. You’ll never miss an election after you see the sacrifices they made so all American women could vote. Hilary Swank, Angelica Huston and Frances O’Connor are outstanding. Not rated. We hope to have a registrar in attendance in case you aren’t registered to vote. Bring food or drink to share.

Gale Ketteler is Program Coordinator and Marketing Specialist at Womanspace. She is proud to be a feminist and loves sharing this great movie with men, women, boys and girls. It’s women’s herstory that is rarely told.

Course #: WK10-6
Dates: October 26
Time: Tuesday, 6:30–9:00p
Facilitator: Gale Ketteler
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $5 Register by October 25

Jhoole Weavers of India
Hannah will share her experiences founding Jhoole, a social enterprise that produces fair trade, eco-friendly garments. Jhoole’s goal is to alleviate poverty by creating a sustainable form of income generation for individuals in need. People stuck at the bottom of the textile supply chain often live in conditions akin to modern day slavery. Jhoole believes in the power of social enterprise to battle these injustices in direct, tangible ways as it benefits, rather than exploits, those living in poverty.

Hannah went to Auburn High School in Rockford, where she was a part of the Creative and Performing Arts Program. She received a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship to India in 2005 and fell in love with the country. She decided to pursue a degree in South Asian Studies from the University of London’s School or Oriental and African Studies. In 2008 she received funding from the Royal Society of Asian Affairs to execute a photography project documenting the lives of female weavers in Maheshwar, which inspired her to found Jhoole.

Course #: WK10-7
Dates: October 28
Time: Thursday, 7:00-8:30p
Presenter: Hannah Warren
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $15 Register by October 26

Queen of Heaven Group
All women are invited to join us as we continue our exploration of the divine feminine. Scholars and archeologists have shown that matristic societies existed over 35,000 years ago. These are matrilineal, egalitarian partnerships where women are honored at the center of culture. Patriarchal religion and culture only became the norm about 5,000 years ago. This group shares in the exploration of this discovery and how it impacts our lives today. Previous attendance is not necessary and walk-ins are welcome. Please bring food or drink to share, meet some like-minded women, and share good conversation.

Gale Ketteler is Program Coordinator and Marketing Specialist at Womanspace. She first explored feminine theology in the Cakes for the Queen of Heaven course in Madison in the 80s. She has facilitated it twice in Rockford and is thrilled to help other women discover empowering stories that pre-date patriarchal history. Tracy Pease is pursuing a masters degree in mental health counseling and has participated twice in the Cakes for the Queen of Heaven course.

Course #: WK10-8
Dates: November 14
Time: Sunday, 7:00–9:00p
Facilitators: Gale Ketteler & Tracy Pease
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: Freewill Offering Register by November 11

Meditation for Beginners with Jack Kornfield
This video with Jack Kornfield shows you how to start and stick with a daily meditation practice. The vipassana practice of meditation can help you cultivate a profound inner calm, while awakening to the truth of life. Learn the fundamentals of breath work, posture, and complete meditations to get you started. We’ll also explore physical sensations and even how difficult emotions can help create a more peaceful life for you and the world. Men, women and teens are welcome to learn this practice to become more present to your self, others and the universe. Begin meditating today with Dorothy’s help at Womanspace.

Dorothy earned her BA at Alverno College, her MA in English Literature at Marquette University, and completed her MFA in Art at the University of Notre Dame. She has been a teacher of art, literature and the humanities since 1950.

Course #: WK10-9
Dates: November 18
Time: Thursday, 7:00-9:00p
Presenter: Dorothy Bock
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $10 Register by November 16

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